Muslim women are a rapidly growing demographic in the global workforce bringing forth a myriad of skills, knowledge and experience to their roles. From professional services to the creative arts, Muslim women continue to prosper, excel and challenge the unconscious biases and stereotypes that may accompany them along the way. 

In this two-part career piece, 10 inspiring female Muslim professionals across different industries shed light on their career trajectories and offer up crucial insights on how others can successfully break into their profession. From journalism to the performing arts, or banking to client development, these women share their stories and provide tips for career progression. 

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Caveat: all the views expressed in this article belong to the individuals listed and can not be attributed to their employer or company. 

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Aishah Hussain

Former Features Editor at Legal Cheek and Current Deputy Editor at Law.com International

Industry: Journalism 

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Hard Skills

• Investigative reporting
• Data analysis
• Digital literacy

Soft Skills

• Creative flair
• Inquisitive Approach
• Attention to Detail
• Time management

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1. Can you tell us about your role and outline the background to your career path?

I am a journalist, working as a Deputy Editor at Law.com International. I write and edit news stories and features on the goings-on of the commercial legal world, ranging from legal gossip to industry exclusives, off-diary journalism, independent research and event reporting. 

I chose to study law at university though I was in two minds about a career in law or journalism. I’d always wanted to be a journalist; but I didn’t know how to break into the industry, nor did I know of anyone that looked like me, so role models were hard to come-by. I was a big reader of Legal Cheek and accepted a job offer, combining both my interests, five years ago. In that time, I went from editorial assistant to reporter and then features editor. I am currently working as a Deputy Editor at Law.com International. I had no previous experience nor professional qualifications in journalism, instead, picking it all up on the job, so it’s possible to pursue a career based purely on interest! 

2. What excites you most about your work and/or role?

I still write as an editor which is important for me as there’s no better thrill than breaking a story and gauging our readers’ reaction in the comments and on social media shortly afterwards. Writing news is a lot different from composing university essays in the sense that you’re constantly operating under tight deadlines (which can be quite pressuring!) all whilst ensuring your writing is accurate and articulate. But I love being able to inform, educate and entertain!

3. What does your typical day-to-day look like?

News is a very early morning thing, so I’ll devote a chunk of time to having a scan around for potential angles before pitching any to the editor during our morning debrief. I usually write news in the morning and turn to editing in the afternoon, or if we’re hosting an event, I might be pulled into chairing it. Beyond that, there really is no ‘typical day’ (cliché I know!) as my work depends on what’s happening  in the legal industry. I never really keep a to-do list as you have to be flexible when a big story breaks!

4. What advice would you give to other Muslim women wishing to enter your field?

No matter which stage you’re at, whether at school, university or looking for a new role, my advice would be to get a by-line. Pitch article ideas to publications you’re interested in (we accept contributions as part of our Journal) or to journalists working in your area of interest. Build a portfolio this way or even start a blog! Put yourself out there and who knows where it will take you – the best opportunities reach you by surprise.

Sana Seth

Senior Policy Advisor at HMRC 

Industry: Civil Service 

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Hard Skills

• Qualifications in politics or law
• Project management
• Policy Profession Standards

Soft Skills

• Networking
• Proactivity
• Interpersonal skills
• Communication

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1. Can you tell us about your role and outline the background to your career path?

I work in a small but critical tax assessment policy team within HMRC. I was previously working in another tax area within HMRC but recently started a secondment in my current team to help during a high- pressured time. 

I actually fell into my career path and hadn’t exactly planned it out this way. I studied law at university as I had no idea what I wanted to do. I thought law would allow me to acquire a range of skills applicable in different fields. Whilst studying, I quickly decided that I didn’t want to pursue a legal career and started to think about what else I could do.  Once I graduated, I worked in a school for some time before realising it wasn’t the right fit either. It was at this point that my mum encouraged me to join civil service and I applied for a role at the Department for Education. Since then, I have moved through various roles in different departments to build a core skill set. These experiences have ultimately led me to  my current secondment position, which I secured post maternity leave.

2. What excites you most about your work and/or role?

It’s a fast-paced role in a high priority area for the department. No day is the same and I enjoy that I’m always doing something new. It’s incredibly varied!

3. What does your typical day-to-day look like?

I usually spend my day checking emails, attending key meetings with my manager/team and then working on my focus area which can mean getting in touch with other teams or writing various policy documents. I also do project management type work.

4. What advice would you give to other Muslim women wishing to enter your field?

Network! Make sure you get a mentor and don’t be afraid to move around and shadow other colleagues. This will help you build new skills, which will be beneficial to progressing your career. Make sure you work on your confidence and believe in your own ability. I’d also advise that you stay proactive, and be keen to take on responsibility, this is especially important if you hope to progress within the field.

Nazifa Hussain 

Director and UK Head of Anti-Bribery and Corruption (ABC), Fraud, Anti-Tax Evasion Facilitation & Modern Slavery, German Investment Bank 

Industry: Banking 

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Hard Skills

• Subject matter expertise
• Professional qualifications in compliance, anti-bribery and/or anti-corruption

Soft Skills

• Interpersonal skills
• Attention to detail
• Networking
• People management
• Self-evaluation

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1. Can you tell us about your role and outline the background to your career path?

I am a Director and UK Head of Anti-Bribery and Corruption (ABC), Fraud, Anti-Tax Evasion Facilitation (ATEF) & Modern Slavery (MS) at a German Investment Bank. I stumbled into my career through lots of unexpected opportunities which I kept saying yes to, although it wasn’t part of the ‘original plan.’ I quickly learned that your career is not a linear journey. It will not always play out the way you want it to. And that’s okay, because once you have sight of how many other career options and routes are available to you, it is not uncommon to outgrow the ambitions you had as a young person. I knew working as a consultant at a Big 4 at an early stage in my career, would develop my people skills, sales skills, presentational skills etc.

2. What excites you most about your work and/or role?

The autonomy and variation of my role. Having creative licence, flexibility and array of responsibilities, helps me to thrive and deliver more considered output. Equally, being able to change up my work activities helps to ensure I am kept engaged and interested. Having said that, being entrusted with substantial responsibilities and independence takes time, experience, and must be underpinned by demonstrable high-quality output and strong communication skills.  

3. What does your typical day-to-day look like? 

My day-to-day can be very unpredictable but entirely packed. I typically like to spend 9-5 for meetings, committees, project planning, stakeholder management, advisory queries, delivering training etc. and from 5pm onwards is when I can roll my sleeves up and execute my deliverables, undisturbed. The key in managing my workload is to plan, but be agile! I have to constantly assess my priorities so that I can seamlessly transition from one topic or task to the next. I like to ensure my day is well rounded with both work execution, ‘big-picture planning’, self-development, mentoring and engaging in the firm’s extracurricular commitments.

4. What advice would you give to other Muslim women wishing to enter your field?

Put yourself out there and remind yourself that rejection is always redirection. You are more than just your background and how you look. Capitalise and sell your skills, they’re just as good, if not better, than anyone else. Believe that you are deserving of the space you want to be in. There is always more than one route to your destination, banks/firms have many schemes and entry points. Take the time to research and find the best one for you. Last but not the least, remember, everyone’s journey is different, what may work for someone may not work for you and vice versa.

Zeenat Ikram 

Client Development Manager, Bird & Bird LLP

Industry: Professional Services 

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Hard Skills

• Business acumen
• B2B marketing
• Strategic communications
• Account management

Soft Skills

• Interpersonal skills
• Strategic outlook
• Communication

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1. Can you tell us about your role and outline the background to your career path?

After initially working in a marketing role at an accountancy firm, I later joined my second accountancy firm where my role was a mix between marketing and business development (BD). I also had the opportunity to do a secondment, where I worked with the Mayor of London, and London & Partners on the Mayor’s International Business Programme – this was a fast-track programme for scale-up companies looking to expand abroad. My role encompassed onboarding thirty companies a quarter, really getting into the bones of what their companies were, what they sold, and what their growth strategy looked like. It was here, where I realised I loved being client-facing. I then decided to look into a client role and here I am as a Client Relationship Manager at an international law firm. 

2. What excites you most about your work or role?

I thoroughly enjoy having a role that is entrenched across every asset of the firm and to be seen as an adviser, adding value by inputting on the client strategy to ultimately gain higher fees. I enjoy being the central point to align the right people internally, connecting the dots (the right people and services, in this case) which comes with a lot of stakeholder management – I love the variety of people I work with and enjoy building that rapport (whether its externally with the client, or internally with fellow Birdies).

3. What does a typical day-to-day look like?

It  varies depending on the tasks for each account – every client is different, with different needs; I may be working on pulling together a roundtable specifically catered for our priority clients, one may have a billing issue that I need to liaise with the billing team, and bring in the client’s legal ops team on. I may be working with the client to pull together a tailored workshop for their legal team, another may be asking us to sit on a panel discussion to speak on DE&I, we may be working internally on the strategy of cross-selling on another, I may be undertaking some financial analysis to see how my accounts are looking, I may be project-managing a pitch that has little to no turnaround time… the list is honestly endless and varied. 

4. What advice would you give to other Muslim women wishing to enter your field? 

As long as you are persistent and have the right skillset, all you have to do is have a way with people. Nurture all relationships – you will be working with such a wide variety of individuals, you really need to be able to be a good people-reader. Oh and lastly, have confidence, your role is to be a valued adviser. Share your opinion and knowledge, and see where it takes you (it’s not a bad thing to try new things and shake things up).

Werisha Husaini

Refugee Employment Specialist, International Rescue Committee 

Industry: Charity 

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Hard Skills

• Understanding of displacement
• OISC qualifications in Immigration Law
• Project management
• Data analysis

Soft Skills

• Communication
• Empathy
• Integrity
• Interpersonal skills

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1. Can you tell us about your role and outline the background to your career path? 

Excuse the cliche, but I admit I found my calling during my year abroad in Egypt! A ‘lucky’ opportunity to volunteer at the UNHCR gave me an insight into the world of refugee work and led me to apply to undertake a masters at SOAS in Migration and Development Studies. Following some more volunteering, and roles in refugee resettlement at charities and local authorities, I landed my current role as a ‘Refugee Employment Specialist’ at an iNGO.

2. What excites you most about your work and/or role?

The impact. Whilst only a drop in the ocean, it is empowering to feel you can positively impact other people’s lives, and guide them towards their full potential. Supporting one adult into work has an effect on an entire family unit’s ability to integrate and resettle in the UK, so we try to provide that little nudge! It’s exciting to be a part of the endless possibilities that come from resettlement, and a fresh chance to rebuild one’s life.

3. What does your typical day-to-day look like? 

I log in and spend most of the workday speaking to colleagues, and potential employers for my clients. I present workshops on the UK job market to people who have been resettled in the UK, supporting them to map out their careers. 

4. What advice would you give to other Muslim women wishing to enter your field?

Go for it! It is the path less trodden and I’ve met many passionate people that are naturally hesitant to make it a full-time career, but there is a lot of scope. It is a diverse, dynamic field, and sadly for the foreseeable future there is a huge need for such work. With many man-made and natural disasters disproportionately affecting the Muslim world, it is also an additional blessing to be in a position to help.

Hope you enjoyed learning about the interesting career paths these brilliant Muslim women are taking. Stay tuned for the second and final part, coming next week! A huge thank you to the lineup of Muslim women who agreed to be featured in the first part of this interview piece.